Hoping that the holiday season treated you well and wishing everyone a happy new year! We had a lowkey christmas and an even more lowkey new years filling up on cookies and cinnamon rolls, enjoying long meals with old friends, and strolling through the neighborhood with family.
Giving myself a breather from packing to come on here and enjoy a bit of a brain drain. Everything seems to be in some kind of pile and I think my life has become an endless cycle of laundry.
We leave for Europe tomorrow and are gearing up for many big things. A big flight, a big transition, a big time difference, and some big goodbyes. When I get into my packing groove, I find myself meditating on those we’re saying goodbye to, wondering when we’ll be back next and envisioning our future once we arrive. It’s a bit of a zen workflow, but then I take a break and have to drag myself off the couch 30 minutes later.
It’s funny how adding Charlotte to the equation changes so much. My packing space was just cut in half, and I find myself way more worried about what size she’ll grow into, and how we can fit all her gifts into the bags than I am about my own wardrobe. That paradigm shifted very quickly.
The other night over dinner from our favorite Italian spot, Neilson and I were reflecting on what we’ll miss most in Texas and what we’re most looking forward to in France. High on the list of things we’ll miss are many cuisines-tex mex, barbecue, korean, chinese because the quality of food in Houston is just that diverse and good. But even higher on the lists for both sides is the proximity of our friends and family. We feel so blessed to have a community in whichever home we may be in and are looking forward to being near the ocean and back with friends we haven’t seen in six months.
My friend asked me how I was feeling about leaving my people and I said “unwell, in denial, sad, can’t think about it. All of the above”. So there we have it. I can’t say goodbyes get any easier.
When we arrived in July, it was sweltering hot and my protruding pregnant stomach was out to my feet. We closed on our Houston townhouse the next day, and I swiftly proceeded to lock myself out within the first few hours of obtaining the keys. The house was empty, full of hope and hidden problems, and my heart and mind felt excited for the season ahead to come. Making this house a home and welcoming Charlotte into the world in September has been one of the sweetest seasons of our lives so far.
Alas, the baby is crying and it’s time to get back to work. But not without leaving you a list of favorites from the week.
eating:
carrabba’s chicken brian texas
last supper: korean bbq
starbucks chai
mexican hot chocolate cookies, maybe half the cayenne though because they were too spicy for some people’s liking
these cinnamon rolls
wearing:
these align flare leggings…the softest
new balance shoes(cheaper here)
an excellent loewe-esque bag from forth and nomad
watching:
the office season 4 before we lose peacock access 😭
reading:
the bible in 2 years 🤞🏻 so far so good, but it’s only been 5 days
babar et sa fille isabelle- our friends brought this back from a trip to New York for our little frenchlady. I used to love these books as a kid.
packing: (essentials we bring from America to Europe)
taco seasoning
chili mix
emergen-c
cliff bars
trader joes candy cane tea
deodorant
the new defined dish cookbook
I always print photos before we go + bring our favorite polaroids for our photo wall in Nice
the stanley cup
this crochet bucket hat for warmer days by the beach
peppermint tums…a target exclusive ~
Next time we’ll chat it will be in France…à tout à l’heure! xx
Amazing! I have a lululemon voucher that I’ve been waiting to spend - align flares it is!
Best of luck to you as you start a new chapter in France avec bebe! Loving the product recs - had not heard of Forth and Nomad but loving their site! The link to the bag is broken (just goes to the home page for the site) but I think I know which it is.